Kickers and punters have one primary job: to kick the ball. Of course, each position is much more nuanced than that, with plenty of strategic elements to the kicking game. This includes the Detroit Lions' decision to have kicker Jake Bates kick the ball out of bounds during their 44-22 win over the Washington Commanders.
When a kicker or punter kicks the ball, they don't just walk off the field, job well done. They still have to be ready for when a play goes wrong. For Bates and punter Jack Fox, that has happened more than they would like. Both Bates (4) and Fox (2) lead their respective positions in combined tackles made, entering Monday Night Football. Fox is tied with Tennessee Titans' Johnny Hekker for tackling punters.
Bates continued to prove his worth to the team by making a key tackle on Sunday after the Lions scored their first touchdown of the late-afternoon game. Commanders return man Noah Igbinoghene took the kickoff 46 yards before Bates pushed him out of bounds at Washington's 48-yard line. Not only did the tackle help save a TD, but the Lions' defense would hold the Commanders to a field goal.
Earlier this season, after Bates made another clutch tackle on Baltimore Ravens' Rasheen Ali, head coach Dan Campbell was asked on 97.1 The Ticket how much the team practices open field tackling with Bates. Campbell responded with, "I would say never. We have not worked one tackle drill with him. Just to be totally transparent. He's a natural."
Fox mostly took a day off on Sunday, as the Lions did not punt once in their victory. That doesn't mean his tackling services are never needed, as he's still the holder on field goals. Late in last week's loss to the Minnesota Vikings, Bates' field goal was blocked and was almost returned for a TD before Fox made a clutch tackle of his own. While the eventual six-point swing made a comeback difficult, a TD there might've made it impossible.
Bates and Fox's tackling are a symptom of Special Teams issues
Kickers and punters making tackles make for fun highlight reels, and the Lions should be grateful they have a player at each position who isn't afraid to do the dirty work to keep opposing points off the board. However, you never want to see a play come down to the tackling prowess of a kicker or punter.
Special teams coordinator Dave Fipp has already pointed to net punting as an issue that needs to improve in the second half of the season, and so far, so good in that regard. Despite a great performance out of Fox against the Vikings and not being needed on Sunday, the Lions are still in the middle of the pack in net punting (42.7) and average return yards (9.8). The Lions are also 22nd in average opposing return yards on kickoffs (26.6).
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The Lions are allowing opposing teams to return as Fox has yet to punt a ball for a touchback, while six of Bates' 56 kickoffs have gone for a touchback. Bates' 10.7% touchback rate is far lower than his 77.3% from last season, although this is likely due to return rates drastically increasing league-wide this season. As for Fox, 16 of his 32 punts have been downed in the 20, with 14 of his punts being fair caught.
It is great to know that if it ever comes down to it, fans can trust Bates and Fox to make a tackle. This is still a double-edged sword, as it should never have to come to that. In the closing stretch of the regular season, Fipp and the special teams unit will need to work hard to improve on defending opposing returns. It could very well be the difference late in the season or in a tight playoff game.